Born: 11 Feb 1900, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay
Died:14 May 1972 Aged 72.  Buried in the Andersons Bay Cemetary, Dunedin.^[1]

The Reverend John Rich was the assistant Curate at St. Mary's in Merivale at the time he joined the Troop in 1929, and is remembered in a history document written by Arthur W. V. Reeve:

"...we got Rev. J Rich (Merivale Curate) as SM.  He was keen, but with no experience". He goes on to say, "He left us to go to the Jamboree in England" ...and "When Mr Rich returned from England he had gained great Scouting experience and the Troop went ahead for some months... at one stage there were 12 King Scouts out of 20 boys in the Troop.  However, as usual when St. Matthew's gets a good man Mr Rich was made DSM..."

Scoutmaster Rich (Shown here as part of the 3rd World Jamboree - NZ Contingent - in the front row, very centre - 5th from left) undertook the task of digging into the history of the St. Matthew's Troop, uncovering the first 10 years after the re-registration with the new name, mainly from Church leaflets.  This has been invaluable as a reference while trying to piece together the Group History and without his hard work then, much more work would be required now.  The handwriting in the logs has provided the most evidence of his hard work piecing together the early history, as well as an entry in the log after his return from the 3rd World Jamboree admonishing the ASM's (Reeve and Sey):

It was a disappointment to find that the Troop Records were not kept up-to-date.  I have been unable to ascertain the dates on which tests were passed, or any particulars as to examiners and dates in connection with Proficiency Badges.  It is absolutely essential the Troop Records be properly kept, and I hope the Committee will constantly examine the various books during the next year.

(An excerpt from the 'Annual Report of Scoutmaster for 1929-1930)

It is pure speculation, but this admonishment may have been the springboard for a young Arthur Reeve to become the prolific scribe that he became, as the history and other documentation after SM Rich's departure is very well kept.

From the Blain Directory^[1] it was discovered that John Rich was also a Master Mariner, and in later life an orchardist.  He also had an older brother, Reverend Eric John Rich.

References

[1] The Blain Directory - Father Michael Blain - http://www.anglicanhistory.org/nz/blain_directory/pdf

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